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From head to hind: Elucidating function through contrasting morphometrics of ancient and modern pedigree dogs
Author(s) -
Schoenebeck Jeffrey J.,
HamiltonDyer Sheila,
Baxter Ian L.,
Schwarz Tobias,
Nussbaumer Marc
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the anatomical record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.678
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1932-8494
pISSN - 1932-8486
DOI - 10.1002/ar.24412
Subject(s) - neurocranium , morphometrics , postcrania , form and function , skull , geography , zoology , biology , anatomy , evolutionary biology , paleontology , taxon
Abstract Used together, caliper‐ and geometric‐based morphometric analyses provide complimentary approaches to classifying form and function of archaeozoological remains. Here we apply these analytical tools to the skeletal remains of an ancient male dog unearthed from a rural farm settlement of Roman date near present day Warmington, United Kingdom. Our comparisons of the Warmington Roman dog against the morphological characteristics of modern dog breeds enabled us to establish the former's size and shape. It was of medium stature. Analysis of viscerocrania and neurocrania indicate it falls within the meso‐ to dolichocephalic rankings of modern dogs. The neurocranium shape and the dimensions of its long bones strongly suggest that the Warmington dog shares similarities to modern sight hounds. Historically sight hounds were bred for speed, as necessitated of a hunter that runs down small prey. Our analysis suggests that the Warmington dog was likely bred for, or derived from, Roman hunting stock. By revealing the Warmington Roman dog's form from cranial and postcranial analyses, we shed light on Roman life in one of the furthest outposts of the Roman Empire.